St. Paul writes to the people of Corinth that we are servants and stewards. As we care for one another and use the resources we have received, we recognize that one day we will all stand before the Lord for judgment.
It’s a great fishing story: Christ speaks to the people from a boat, directs the nets, catches the fish…and gains new disciples! What’s more, these disciples will grow to become apostles who will continue to the Lord’s work and serve as an example for us today.
As the crowds gather around Jesus we see two central elements of his earthly ministry: healing the sick and driving out demons. The Lord’s work reveals what the demons already know; he is the Christ, the Son of God who has the power to save and set us free.
The Lord teaches with authority and power in the Gospel today. Learning is not just for school; rather, we have lessons to learn throughout life. May we look to the challenges of today and engage our faith with confidence.
The Lord points out that the spiritual battle happens on the inside – in our hearts – and within this precious real estate we have the opportunity each day to do our part to keep it clean.
The parable today reveals a crucial insight: We will be measured by what we do with what we have. Comparing ourselves with others is often a waste of time; what’s crucial is using what we have been given to the best of our ability.
Jesus offers a parable to the disciples about being alert and prepared, reminding us that preparation is a part of our daily life…and reveals our wisdom when we put it into practice.
The Lord urges his disciples to be awake and prepared. Every day we have opportunities to stay “spiritually fit” as we call upon God’s grace for the demands we encounter.
On this feast of St. Augustine (the patron of my Diocese) we pause to reflect on God’s love for us. God is love, and this love is meant to find a home in our hearts and then flow out into the lives of those we meet.
The passage from John’s Gospel marks a low point in the active ministry of Jesus. The people have seen healing miracles and the multiplication of the fishes and loaves, but when they hear the Lord’s teaching about the Eucharist they turn away. It is in this rock-bottom moment that Peter reminds us that we face hard times with the power of our faith in Christ.